[Treatment of colorectal cancer with monoclonal antibodies]

This article reviews the treatment of colorectal carcinoma with monoclonal antibodies. Since the late seventies, several hundred patients with advanced disease have been treated with unconjugated antibodies, especially Mab 17-1A. The response rate of the studies has been less than 10%. In contrast, Mab given as adjuvant treatment for Duke's C colorectal carcinoma increased the five year survival with 30%. The actions of different types of immunoconjugates are reviewed.